Wheel.



N. BRAIBANT.

WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 21, 1910.

1,033 ,6'65; Pat ented July 23, 1912.

Fly Z,

COLUMBIA PLANOORAPH 50., WASHINGTON, n. c.

in s

NESTOR BRAIBANT, 0F BRUSSELS, BELGIUM.

WHEEL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 23, 1912.

Application filed November 21, 1910. Serial No. 593,536.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, Nns'ron BRAIBANT, a subject of the King of Belgium,and resident of Brussels, Belgium, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Wheels, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in wheels.

The object of the invention is to provide simple and economical meansfor mounting the tire on the folly of the wheel to equalize anddistribute the strain on the parts.

In the drawing: Figure 1 is a vertical section of a portion of a wheel,illustrating the parts constituting the invention in normal position.Fig. 2 is a similar view but illustrating the position of parts inshifted position.

1 indicates a wheel rim having mounted thereon at intervals brackets 35,only one of which is shown in the drawing. Each bracket is closed at itsouter end and is provided in the side walls with horizontal openings 3,3. Fitting in the openings 3, 3 are sleeves 41*, provided with flanges41. These sleeves form bearings for a rodcomprising end sections 37, 37and an intermediate threaded section or nut 38. The inner ends ofsections 37, 37 are formed with reduced stems which are threaded toreceive the nut 38, as shown clearly in the drawing. The outer end, 39,of each section 37 is enlarged and is formed with a cavity to receive aball 42, the inner end of each enlarged end 39 hearing against the outerend of the adjacent sleeve 41*.

Mounted on the rod and bearing against the flanges 41, is a spring 36,the tension of which serves to force the sleeves 41*, outwardly, and asthe latter bear directly on the heads 39 of the rod, the latter are retained an equal distance from the sides of the bracket 35. The sleevesproject some distance beyond the sides of the bracket 35, so that therod may have a limited lateral movement, as will be explained later on.

The tire 4 is U shape in cross section and its vertical sides areprovided on their inner faces with wear plates 6 against which theballs, 42, operate. The distance between the outer surfaces of the twoballs 42, equals the distance between the wear plates 6 so that at alltimes said balls are in contact with said wear plates.

When the wheel is passing over crowned road surfaces, the tendency oflateral strain occurs and has been found detrimental to a rigidstructure and it is my purpose to overcome this difficulty. Under thesecircumstances when my improved wheel is employed, the tire moveslaterally as shown in Fig. 2. The tire forces the rod to the left (asindicated in Fig. 2) hence the sleeve 41 on the right hand side is alsomoved and its flange compresses the spring 36, against the flange 41 ofthe sleeve on the opposite side of the bracket. This movement prevents atwisting strain on the wheel structure. Immediately the lateral strainis relieved, the spring returns the parts to normal position.

Having now fully described my said invention, what I claim and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is 1. In a wheel the combination of a tire, anannular member within and spaced from the tire, casings mounted on theannular member, a rod extending transversely of the annular member andthrough each casing, balls on the ends of the rod and bearing on theinner surfaces of the tire, collars mounted on each rod, and a spring oneach rod between the collars and within the easmg.

2. In a wheel, the combination of a tire formed with flanges, an annularmember within and spaced from the tire, casings mounted on the annularmember, a sectional rod extending transversely of the annular member andthrough each casing and confined between the flanges of the tire, theadjacent ends of the sections of the rods being threaded to connect thesame, flanged collars mounted on the rod, and a coiled spring mounted onthe sectional rod and confined in the casing by the flanged collars,whereby when the tire is tilted the springs will be compressed.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twowitnesses.

NESTOR BRAIBANT.

Witnesses:

C. VAN VELSEN, CHARLES J OHNSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

